Meet Your Surgeon

In 2010, the Pacific Northwest called to me as a place to start my career. At the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, I finished first in my class and got to learn from some of the brightest and the best minimally invasive and open spinal surgeons in the world.  This training allowed me to bring the newest technologies and most modern techniques to this region, and I have distinguished myself in providing high quality patient care for over a decade. I love the landscapes of this region, the lifestyle, the food, and the great people of this part of the world.  Quality spinal care for patients in the Northwest is extremely important to me because this is now my home.  My patients are my neighbors, my colleagues, and my friends.  Your neighbors, your colleagues, your family, and your friends.  I have to provide the best care I can everyday because we are all interconnected and there is a good chance someday I will need your help.  

I was born in raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. My mother was a physical therapist, and my early days at rehab centers alongside her inspired me to become a physician. I learned early on about caring for people from her and the value of non-operative care for spinal diseases.  My father was an engineer, and he inspired me to solve problems in new ways.  I am an Eagle Scout and have always enjoyed nature and doing what’s right.  

I have practiced at a few locations in this region, but Modern Spine is my latest endeavor.  At Modern Spine, I envision providing state-of-the-art techniques with first-in-class care.  This is possible because I want the best for my patients and have honestly become somewhat frustrated at big box medicine’s approach to care for spinal patients–where large healthcare systems have repeatedly shown they prefer taking profits over people.  This mentality does not align with my goals as a person or as a surgeon as it turns patients into numbers instead of humans in need of help.  I often encourage patients to get second opinions and often see patients for second opinions.  I believe seeing the difference in care strategies is easy.  At Modern Spine, I perform almost exclusively minimally invasive spine surgeries, decompressions, disc replacements, and tumor resections on patients in need across the Pacific Northwest and around the world.  

In addition to caring for patients, I have helped develop some of the latest technologies in spine with the goal of making spine surgery less mysterious, less traumatizing, and more predictable; pushing for better results with less risk.  Some of my most recent innovations:

1.  Minimally invasive prone lateral fusion surgery
2.  Minimally invasive tube system for neck and back surgeries
3.  State-of-the-art patient positioner

These tools and techniques allow for safe and efficient operations with a wide variety of advantages over traditional surgery.  Most surgeons still do mostly open surgery whereas I do 99% of my operations minimally invasively using new, less distruptive technology.  

If you choose to visit, you will see that I don’t rush patients; we talk one on one.  You will intrepret your own MRI’s, CT’s, and x-rays with me there to explain them.  You will see your options first hand with 3D models and in some cases computer aided planning used to map out the most complex operations.  I will help you make two of the most important decisions of your life–whether I am the right surgeon for you and whether or not this is the right time to intervene.  I can promise to do my absolute best and to deliver state-of-the-art care.

Lastly, I named my practice Modern Spine after my family.  My wife’s name is Miranda, and my son is Owen.  I go by David, not Dr. Yam.  Hence the name MODern Spine and modspine.com.  

As a person, I can also share that I have had a herniated disc myself.  I know what nerve pain is.  I have experienced what you or a loved one is experiencing and hope that I can help ease your pain, restore your function, and get you back out into the world again.  

Thank you,

David